Table or stool top or chair-bottom



(No Model.)

W. W. SINGLAIR. TABLE 0R STOOL TOP 0R CHAIR-BOTTOM.

No. 472,911. PatentedApr. 12, 1892.-

UNiTnn ST Tres PATENT FFICE..

VILLIAM 1V. SINCLAIR, `OF PHCENIX, NEW YORK.

i'ABtl-z 0R sTooL ToP oRcHAlR-Borrolvl.

SPECIFICATION forming part f Letters Patent N0. 472,911, dated April 12, 1892.

Application filed March 31, 1390. Serial No. 346.119. (No model.) i

following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of a table-y top (or stool-top or chair-bottom as well) with attached legs and representing a portion of the woven fabric or strands of the top broken away for the purpose of partially showing the underneath adjacent portions of the rectangular bed-frame or stretcher, ne.; Fig. 2, an enlarged bottom plan of the table-top (or likewise stool-top or chair-bottom) mounted on its supporting legs or standards and showing the places where the splints are joined. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail illustrating a slight variation or modification of my main construction, said modified construction preferably being embodied in the formation of stool-tops= wherein greater lightness in weight is oft times desirable and advantageous.

Similar letters and figures of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

My invention relates, broadly, to table and stool tops, chair bottoms or backs, and analogous articles of furniture wherein strands or splints of cane, bamboo, or other material in the form of strands woven or interlaced together are utilized, wherein my novel features of construction are susceptible of application or embodiment without involving any material departure fromthe true scope or spirit of the subject-matter comprising my invention.

Primarily my invention relates to a new and improved construction of table-tops,chair bottoms, and stool-tops. f

The object of my invention is to simplify and coincidently increase the strength and durability of table or stool tops, chair-bottoms, and analogous furniture incorporating woven or twisted strands of bamboo, duc., with the use of a comparatively small amount of splint material or yother suitable strands, and concurrently producing a very strong and thoroughly-braced article of furniture, and coincidently creating an article of the aforesaid class of much more artistic appearance or configuration than usual or attainable under the common or ordinary manner of construction, a .formation that insures the perfect bracing of and retention in parallel horizontal position of the bed-frame or barsor rails entering into the construction of a table or stool top or chair-bottom proper and the auxiliary and independent horizontally disposed rails or rounds erected ata distance beneath the aforenamed portions, a construction-which admits of the ready weaving of a single layer of strands or splints of split bamboo, &c., upon the bed-frame or stretcher of a table or stool top, chair-bottom, and analogous articles and creating interwoven sideportions prior to the attachment to the said bed-frame or stretcher of supporting-legs or a back or arms wherein the requisite reversal of a strand or splint may readily be accomplished at a non-prominent point and expeditiously, and in the novel, advantageous, and serviceable combining of a number of short or medium length strands or splints employed inr my construction into one continuous strand of suitable length possessed of requisite strength and tenacity, and insuring (in the weaving) the disposition of the secured extremities at the inside `and practically out of sightof a casual observer, and also other improvements in the detail construction of my device im partingincreased effectiveness and value thereto, as hereinafter described.

My invention consists in the several novel features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter described, and which are specifically enumerated in the clauses of the claim hereunto annexed.

It is constructed as follows: A represents the rectangular bed-frame or stretcher, comprising four bars or rails a a a a, rigidly connected together at their ends, and thus forming a practically continuous rectangular-shaped frame for the woven covering,

IOO

bed-frame or stretcher at or in close proximity to its respective corners are inverted corner-posts B B B B, which extend downward a suitable distance vertically and respectively colnprise a swelled or enlarged lower extremity b and a contracted or stem portion c adjacent to or at its point of insertion into a bar of the bed-trame. Firmly attached to the swelled extremity b of the respective corner-posts B are horizontal rounds or bars d d d d, respectively extending from one post to the opposite post, and so on, and thereby creating an auxiliary or strengthening `frame C, of rectangular shape, disposed at a distance beneath the bed-frame A, its outer or boundary edges-t'. e., of each round or bar d-being lineal vertically with the boundary edges of the aforesaid bed-frame.

As is apparent, the auxiliary frame C (or each individual bard thereof) is entirely distinct and independent of the bed-frame A, except through its indirect connection therewith through the medium ot' its supporting corner-posts B, that are rigidly pendent from the overhead bed-frame or stretcher A.

My object in having the swelled extremity b on the pendent corner-posts is to afford a secure and strong hold or bearing for the inserted extremities of the rounds d without the necessity of having the upper ends of larger diameter, and thereby necessitating but a comparatively small aperture e in -the bedframe for their reception and insuring a stronger bearing through non-weakening of the material surrounding the aperture, as would not be the case were the diameter of the aperture and inserted end of corner-post excessive.

D is the woven-fabric portion of the table or stool top or chair-bottom, dac., as the case may be, consisting of woven or interlaced strands or splints s of cane, bamboo, or other suitable material woven in any desired or preferred pattern, the strands composing said top or bottom extending downwardly a distance to asupport at either side, as shown, and thereby forming escarpments or vertical flanges D to the horizontal upper fabric D.

In my construction of the aforenamed parts D and D the strand or splint s (of Whatever material) is applied by commencing as in the construction of thecommonorordinary double bottom; butinstead of bringing the strand or splint over the top of the bed-frame or bed bars or rails and then around under and back to the starting-point at the opposite side of the frame I proceed and bring the strand s over the top of the bed-frame and over the upper surface of abed-frame bar a, and thence vertically downward alongside the outer edge face ot' the bar and continuing downwarda distance to and once around a horizontal round or bar d of the auxiliary or strengthening frame O, and then, forming a twist fat the inner side, upward and incliningly outward to and over the outer face edge of the aforereferred-to bar ct of the bed-frame A,

and thence horizontally over the top thereof to the opposite bar a of said bed-frame or stretcher,where the same operation is repeated until the said bed-frame A is filled or covered -with strands or splints s, running in one direction, and the cross-strands or splints s are secured at either opposite ends in like manner and woven with the first-named strands to form any pattern desired, and whereby a single layer or thickness of woven strands is formed by the utilization of the round or bar d for the attachment to and ready reversal of the strand or splint. The adjacent contacting ends of the individual strands'or splints are placed parallel' with each other and secured together, thereby forming one continuous splint or strand. Vhen this resultant continuous strand or splint is applied to the bedframe or auxiliary frame of my device in the vformation of the woven-fabric portion, the nuprotection against any possible accidental 1 bruising or other injury to the strands lying along the vertical edges of the frame A, but concurrently serving to giveto the completed table or stool top or chair-bottoni a more ornamental appearance.

The function of the escarpments or flanges D', integral with the woven-fabric portion D, is to brace, stiften, and generally strengthen IOO the complete table or stool top or chair-botl tom of which they form a component part, for, as readily discernible, the strands or splints s laterally and downwardly extending toand around the rounds or bars d accomplish that purpose, the position of the tautstrands s and their peculiar connection serving to retain the bars a of the bed-frame and the rounds or bars d of the auxiliary frame entirely parallel, and consequently practically creating a truss-support to the bed-frame orV stretcher A. As is evident, this result is secured in an ornamental manner, and by my IIO IIS

erection of the rounds or bars d at some dis-V y tance beneath the overhead bars or rails a and their outer edges practically lineal on a vertical plane with 4the outer edges of said overhead bars a far greater rigidity, strength, and compactness are attained (through the medium ot' the' attached connecting strands or splints s) than would be possiblewere the lower rounds or bars dagainst or in very close proximity to the upper bars ct of the bedframe, lying parallel therewith. Moreover, the arrangement and attachment of the various strands s insures a direct and positive tension upon the respective bars or rounds auaid d and necessarily retains them para e l l l l are the legs or standards supporting the bed-frame and attached portions constituting my improved table-top, chair-bottom, or stool-top and having` the usual cross rounds or -bars m for imparting additional stability to the complete table, chair, dac, the upper ends of the legs l being secured in perforations n, cut into the bottom face of bars a of the bed-frame adjacent to its corners.

By dotted lines 0 0 I illustrate the preferable and usual plan outline of the bed-frame, &c., when constructed for usage as a chairseat.

Fig. 3 of the drawings illustrates a slight modification in my construction in that in said variation the top-bars c (preferably cylindrical) are inserted at their extremities into the posts or supportsinstead of the posts or legs being inserted into a rectangular frame, as .embodied in my main construction, and the lower bars or rounds d enter at their extremities into the posts or supports, as in my main construction, while the strands or splints are disposed similarly to the manner illustrated in main formation. This modified construction is especially advantageous in the manufacture of foot or other small or medium-sized stools,wherein greater lightness in weight is desirable.

Obviously by diminishing the size of the bed-frame shown in my main construction and increasing somewhat the length of the inverted corner-posts therein employed to answer the purpose of supporting-legs a stool is resultant, the supporting-legs primarily employed in the adaptation of my device for table or stool tops or chair-bottom purposes being of course in this instance dispensed with. Yet lightness in weight corresponding or approaching to a stool constructed in accordance with my modified formation does not, in my opinion, seem attainable; but, aside from its being somewhat heavier,a perfect, durable, and highly ornamental stool is insured.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The herein-described table, stool, or chair, comprising an open main frame having legssecured thereto, downward projections extending from the corners of said frame, longitudinal and transverse bars located diametrically beneath the bars of the main frame and having their ends secured to said downward projections, thereby forming a supplemental or auxiliary frame, the bars of which are out of contact with the bars of said main frame, and the woven strands or splints forming the tops of the table or stool and the seat of the chair, said strands or splints passing over a bar of the main frame, extending thence 2. A table and stool top or chair-bottomcomprising the main open frame A, having the bars or rails ct, the posts B, projecting downward a short distance from the corners of said frame, the bars or rails d, secured at their ends to said corner-posts, the woven lstrands or splints passing over said bars a,

thence downward and around said bars d, thence upward and over the bars a, said strands or. splints being twisted between said bars ct and d at the inner side thereof, the contacting ends of the adjacent strands or splints being secured together, and strips '5, secured to said bars a over said strands, all substantially as shown and described.

3. The herein-described table, stool, or chai r,

comprising an open main frame having legs secured thereto, an open supplemental or auxiliary frame beneath said main frame and innon-contact therewith, and the woven strands or splints forming the tops of the table or stool and the seat of the chair, said strands or splints passing over a barof the main frame, extending thence perpendicularly downward to and around an adjacent bar or round of the auxiliary frame, thence upward and outward in an inclined direction from the auxiliary bar to and over the before-mentioned bar of the main frame and horizontally inward therefrom, said strands or splints having a twist between said bars, whereby their faces are reversed, and the individual strands or splints having their adjacent contacting ends placed parallel with each other and secured together.

WILLIAM w. siNoLAIR.

v Witnesses:

B. T. MASON, O. WARD. 

